Body armor carrier garment

ABSTRACT

Body armor carrier garments that provide a comfortable compression/stretch fit garment that holds removable ballistic and/or stab-resistant packets or panels are described. Some implementations include a garment that houses ballistic panels in a stable and flexible manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a § 371 national stage of PCT InternationalApplication No. PCT/US21/31039, entitled “Body Armor Carrier Garment”filed on May 6, 2021, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 63/021,543, filed on May 7, 2020,entitled “Body Armor Carrier Garment,” the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Some conventional body armor carriers may be bulky and present one ormore challenges to a wearer, such as shifting position during wear orrequiring additional clothing or uniform layers under or on top of theconventional body armor carrier. Further, some conventional body armorcarriers may leave a wearer's side exposed to possible injury and/or mayleave a wearer's upper chest and shoulder areas exposed to potentialinjury due to loose fit of some conventional body armor carriers.

SUMMARY

Some implementations include a body armor carrier garment, comprising afront inner shell, and a front outer shell, where the front inner shellis attached to the front outer shell via front stitching to form a frontprotective panel pocket, between the front inner shell and the frontouter shell, to hold a front protective panel in place in the frontprotective panel pocket, wherein the front stitching includes a frontbottom stitch, a first arm stitch, a second arm stitch, a first shoulderstitch, a second shoulder stitch, and a neck opening stitch, wherein afront opening is formed on the front inner shell to permit the frontprotective panel to be inserted into the front protective panel pocket,and wherein the opening includes a releasable front closure. The bodyarmor carrier garment also comprises a back inner shell, and a backouter shell, wherein the back inner shell is attached to the back outershell via back stitching to form a back protective panel pocket, betweenthe back inner shell and the back outer shell, to hold a back protectivepanel in place in the back protective panel pocket, wherein the backstitching includes a back bottom stitch and a back top stitch, wherein aback opening is formed on the back inner shell to permit the backprotective panel to be inserted into the back protective panel pocket,and wherein the back opening includes a releasable back closure.

The body armor carrier garment further comprises a right side zipperattached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on a firstside of the right side zipper and attached to the back inner shell andthe back outer shell on a second side of the right side zipper, whereinthe right side zipper extends from a bottom hem of the body armorcarrier garment to a point on a right side of the body armor carriergarment adjacent the releasable front closure and the releasable backclosure. The body armor carrier garment also includes a left side zipperattached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on a firstside of the left side zipper and attached to the back inner shell andthe back outer shell on a second side of the left side zipper, whereinthe left side zipper extends from the bottom hem of the body armorcarrier garment to a point on a left side of the body armor carriergarment adjacent the releasable front closure and the releasable backclosure, and wherein the right side zipper and the left side zipperreleasably attach a portion of the front inner shell and the front outershell to the back inner shell and the back outer shell such that anexpandable torso opening is formed in the body armor carrier garment.

The body armor carrier can also include a right side arcuate openingformed on the front inner shell and disposed in an area adjacent thereleasable front closure and an end of the right side zipper, a leftside arcuate opening formed on the front inner shell and disposed in anarea adjacent the releasable front closure and an end of the left sidezipper, and a neck opening, a right sleeve, and a left sleeve.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include afront plate pocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell andhaving an opening at a top of the front plate pocket, wherein the frontplate pocket is formed to have a width that is approximately same as awidth of the neck opening of the body armor carrier garment. In someimplementations, the front inner shell and the front outer shell arestitched together from a point adjacent the front bottom stitch to thebottom hem of the body armor carrier garment, and wherein the back innershell and the back outer shell are stitched together from a pointadjacent the back bottom stitch to the bottom hem of the body armorcarrier garment.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include acrew neck collar attached to the neck opening. In some implementations,the body armor carrier can also include a dress shirt style collarattached to the neck opening.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include abadge indicium formed on the front outer shell. In some implementations,the body armor carrier can also include a name plate indicium formed onthe front outer shell.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include afront rifle plate pocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell.In some implementations, the body armor carrier can also include a backrifle plate pocket formed on an exterior of the back outer shell.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include abody camera pocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell. Insome implementations, the body armor carrier can also include a backcooling pocket formed on an exterior of the back outer shell near thebottom hem of the body armor carrier garment, wherein the back coolingpocket has an opening formed at a top of the back cooling pocket, andwherein the opening has a releasable closure.

In some implementations, the body armor carrier can further include aside utility pocket formed on a right side or a left side of the bodyarmor carrier garment. In some implementations, the body armor carriercan also include a side firearm holster formed on an exterior of thebody armor carrier garment on a right side or left side and respectivelydisposed below the right sleeve or the left sleeve.

In some implementations, the front stitching and the back stitchinginclude a reinforced double-lock stitch or flat lock stitch. In someimplementations, the right sleeve and the left sleeve are both shortsleeves.

In some implementations, the right sleeve and the left sleeve are bothlong sleeves. In some implementations, the front inner shell, the frontouter shell, the back inner shell, and the back outer shell are formedfrom 80% nylon and 20% elastane, to which one or more of a wickingagent, an anti-microbial agent, or a fabric softener agent is applied.

According to another aspect, a body armor carrier garment can comprise afront protective panel disposed within the front protective panel pocketand a back protective panel disposed within the back protective pocket,wherein the protective panels are ballistic-resistant and/orstab-resistant.

According to yet another aspect, a body armor system can include a bodyarmor carrier garment as described herein, further comprising one ormore of: a front protective panel configured to be disposed within thefront protective panel pocket, the front protective panel beingconfigured as a stab-resistant or a ballistic-resistant protectivepanel; a back protective panel configured to be disposed within the backprotective panel pocket, the back protective panel being configured as astab-resistant or a ballistic-resistant protective panel; a body cameradevice configured to be disposed within the body camera pocket; a frontrifle plate configured to be disposed within the front rifle platepocket; and/or a back rifle plate configured to be disposed within theback rifle plate pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an example body armor carrier garment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 3 is an inside out back view of an example body armor carriergarment in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example collared body armor carrier garmentin accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an example collared body armor carrier garmentin accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 7 is a back view of an example body armor carrier garment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 8 is a back view of an example body armor carrier garment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment with abody camera pocket in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an example body armor carrier garment with aside utility pocket in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an example body armor carrier garment with aside firearm holster in accordance with some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. The aspects of the present disclosure, as generallydescribed herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged,substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety ofdifferent configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplatedherein. Dimensions shown in the drawings or described below are forillustration purposes. Other dimensions can be used.

This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to body armor carrier garmentsthat provide a comfortable compression/stretch fit garment that holdsremovable ballistic and/or stab-resistant packets or panels. Someimplementations can include a garment that houses ballistic panels in astable and flexible manner. By making the body armor carrier garmentmore comfortable to the wearer, the wearer may be encouraged to wearbody armor more often, thus reducing a risk of projectile or stabbinginjury. Some implementations can include a garment fit that is differentthan the fit of traditional ballistic panel carrier vests.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment 100 inaccordance with some implementations. The body armor carrier garment 100includes a front inner shell and a front outer shell as a double layerfront of the body armor carrier garment 100. The front inner shell isattached to the front outer shell via front stitching 102, therebyforming a front protective panel pocket 104 between the front innershell and the front outer shell. A front protective panel is held inplace in the front protective panel pocket 104. The front stitching 102includes a front bottom stitch 108, a first arm stitch 120, a second armstitch 122, a first shoulder stitch 124, a second shoulder stitch 126,and a neck opening stitch 128. The body armor carrier garment 100 alsoincludes a front opening 106 formed on an interior of the front innershell to permit the front protective panel to be inserted into the frontprotective panel pocket 104. The front opening 106 includes a releasablefront closure 118.

According to some implementations, one or more of the front stitching102, front bottom stitch 108, first arm stitch 120, second arm stitch122, first shoulder stitch 124, second shoulder stitch 126, and neckopening stitch 128 are flat stiches. Flat stitches are stiches that areconfigured to avoid discomfort by the wearer by reducing or eliminatinga feeling of the stitch “digging in” or disturbing the skin of thewearer. Other suitable stitches to increase comfort may also beapplicable.

The body armor carrier garment 100 includes a right side zipper 112attached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on one sideof the right side zipper 112, and attached to a back inner shell and aback outer shell on the other side of the right side zipper 112. In someimplementations, the right side zipper 112 extends from a bottom hem 130of the body armor carrier garment 100 to a point on a right side of thebody armor carrier garment 100 adjacent the releasable front closure 118and a releasable back closure (218 shown in FIG. 2 ).

The body armor carrier garment 100 also includes a left side zipper 110attached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on one sideof the left side zipper 110, and attached to the back inner shell andthe back outer shell on the other side of the left side zipper 110. Insome implementations, the left side zipper 110 extends from the bottomhem 130 of the body armor carrier garment 100 to a point on a left sideof the body armor carrier garment adjacent the releasable front closure118 and the releasable back closure (218 shown in FIG. 2 ). In someimplementations, the right side zipper 112 and the left side zipper 110releasably attach a portion of the front inner shell and the front outershell to the back inner shell and the back outer shell such that anexpandable torso opening is formed in the body armor carrier garment100.

The body armor carrier garment 100 front includes a right side arcuateopening 116 formed on the front inner shell and disposed in an areaadjacent the releasable front closure 106 and an end of the right sidezipper 112. The body armor carrier garment 100 also includes a left sidearcuate opening 114 formed on the front inner shell and disposed in anarea adjacent the releasable front closure 106 and an end of the leftside zipper 110. The body armor carrier garment 100 also includes a neckopening 132 (with crew neck style collar shown), a right sleeve 134, anda left sleeve 136. The right side arcuate opening 116 and the left sidearcuate opening 114 permit sides of protective panels (e.g., ballisticpanels) inserted into the body armor carrier garment 100 to extendaround the sides of a wearer and provide protection to the sides of thewearer's body.

The body armor carrier garment 100 can also include a front plate pocket120 formed on an exterior of the front outer shell and having an openingat a top of the front plate pocket, wherein the front plate pocket isformed to have a width that is approximately the same as a width of theneck opening 132 of the body armor carrier garment 100. The front platepocket 120 can be configured to hold a trauma plate such as a 3″×8″trauma or rifle plate. Additionally, the front plate pocket 120 can befurther configured to hide and/or retain a global positioning system(GPS) device, triangulation device, geo-location device, and/or beacondevice such that a physical location of the wearer may be readilydetermined by any suitable detection device. Furthermore, if packaged asa “kit,” a suitable geo-location device as described above may bepackaged with the garment 100 (or any other garment disclosed herein)such that the device is pre-installed, fixedly attached, and/orremoveably attached within the front plate pocket 120.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an example body armor carrier garment 100 inaccordance with some implementations. The body armor carrier garment 100includes a back inner shell and a back outer shell. The back inner shellis attached to the back outer shell via back stitching 202, therebyforming a back protective panel pocket 204 between the back inner shelland the back outer shell. A back protective panel is held in place inthe back protective panel pocket 204. The back stitching 202 includes aback bottom stitch 208 and a back top stitch 220. The body armor carriergarment 100 includes a back opening 206 formed on the back inner shellto permit the back protective panel to be inserted into the backprotective panel pocket 204. In some implementations, the back opening206 includes a releasable back closure 218.

According to some implementations, one or more of the back bottom stitch208 and the back top stitch 220 are flat stiches. Flat stitches arestiches that are configured to avoid discomfort by the wearer byreducing or eliminating a feeling of the stitch “digging in” ordisturbing the skin of the wearer. Other suitable stitches to increasecomfort may also be applicable.

The body armor carrier garment 100 back includes a right side arcuateopening 214 formed on the back inner shell and disposed in an areaadjacent the releasable back closure 218 and an end of the right sidezipper 112. The body armor carrier garment 100 also includes a left sidearcuate opening 216 formed on the back inner shell and disposed in anarea adjacent the releasable back closure 218 and an end of the leftside zipper 110.

In some implementations, the front inner shell and the front outer shellare stitched together from a point adjacent the front bottom stitch 108to the bottom hem 130 of the body armor carrier garment 100, and theback inner shell and the back outer shell are stitched together from apoint adjacent the back bottom stitch 208 to the bottom hem 130 of thebody armor carrier garment 100.

FIG. 3 is an inside out back view of an example body armor carriergarment 100 showing features described above in connection with FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example collared body armor carrier garment400 having a dress shirt-style collar 402. The dress shirt-style collar402 may include, in some implementations, one or more fixed buttons orattachment devices such that a more formal looking collar is presented.Additionally, faux buttons and/or applied indicia and/or ornamentalbuttons or button-like devices may be attached near the collar 402 suchthat the garment 400 more closely resembles a more formal collaredshirt. The various features of the example collared body armor carriergarment 400 of FIG. 4 may be similar to the features of the examplecollared body armor carrier garment 100 of FIGS. 1-3 , and so theirdescriptions are not repeated herein, for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an example collared body armor carrier garment500 having a dress shirt style collar 502 attached to the neck opening,a law enforcement or other uniform badge indicium formed on the frontouter shell (e.g., via heat transfer, embroidery stitching, sewn onpatch, etc.), and a name plate indicium formed on the front outer shell(e.g., via heat transfer, embroidery stitching, sewn on patch, etc.).The body armor carrier garment 500 can also include sleeve indicia 508and 510 formed on the sleeves (e.g., via heat transfer, embroiderystitching, sewn on patch, etc.).

By including a collar (e.g., 402 or 502) and/or badges or name plateindicia, a body armor carrier garment such as 400 or 500 can also serveas a service uniform shirt and eliminate the need for a wearer to wear aseparate service uniform shirt in addition to a body armor carrier.

FIG. 6 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment 600including a front rifle plate pocket 602 formed on an exterior of thefront outer shell. FIG. 7 is a back view of an example body armorcarrier garment 600 a back rifle plate pocket 702 formed on an exteriorof the back outer shell. Rifle plates inserted into the rifle platepockets 602 and/or 702 can be removed and a wearer can continue to wearthe body armor carrier garment 600 having one or more protective panelsinserted into the internal protective panel pockets so that the bodyarmor carrier garment continues to provide a measure of protection forthe wearer even after the rifle plates have been removed. The rifleplate pockets 602 and 702 are constructed to hold a rifle plate (e.g.,formed from steel or other suitable rifle plate material) and havingexample dimensions of 8″×10″ or 11″×12″, etc.

FIG. 8 is a back view of an example body armor carrier garment 800having a back cooling pocket 802 formed on an exterior of the back outershell near the bottom hem of the body armor carrier garment. The backcooling pocket 802 has an opening 804 formed at a top of the backcooling pocket, and the opening 804 has a releasable closure (e.g.,similar to 118). The back cooling pocket 802 is constructed to hold acooling pack (e.g., a packet with material that absorbs body heat).

FIG. 9 is a front view of an example body armor carrier garment 900having a body camera pocket 902 formed on an exterior of the front outershell and constructed to hold a body camera.

FIG. 10 is a side view of an example body armor carrier garment 1000with a side utility pocket 1002 formed on a right side or a left side ofthe body armor carrier garment 1000.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an example body armor carrier garment 1100with a side firearm holster 1102 formed on an exterior of the body armorcarrier garment on a right side or left side and disposed below theright sleeve or the left sleeve.

In some implementations, the front stitching and the back stitchinginclude reinforced stitching to improve the durability of the garment.The stitching can also include a double-lock or a flat lock stitcharound the protective panel pockets for strength and flexibility(stretchability). Furthermore, a flat stich may be used, particularlyaround a ridge of the shoulder and around arm openings to increase usercomfort by eliminating and/or reducing a sensation that stitching is“digging” into a user's skin.

In some implementations, the front inner shell, the front outer shell,the back inner shell and the back outer shell are formed from a stretchmaterial comprised of 80% nylon and 20% Lycra/spandex (elastane), towhich wicking, anti-microbial, and/or fabric softener agents have beenapplied. In additional implementations, a 4-way stretch material is usedto form the front inner shell, the front outer shell, the back innershell and the back outer shell.

The protective panels held by the body armor carrier garmentimplementations described above can include ballistic packets,ballistic-resistant protective panels, stab-resistant protective panels,and/or stab resistant packets including, but not limited to: NIJCertified—Level II & Level III, Semforex Alfa Elite AX IIIA MC, SemforexAlfa Elite AX II MC, Semforex Security SP+2LE MC, Semforex Cobra GNXIIIA MC, Semforex Cobra GNX II MC, Semforex Standard CI IIA-2MC,Semforex Standard CII-3 MC, Semforex Alfa Elite AX IIIAF MX4, SemforexAlfa Elite AX IIF MX, Semforex Security SP+2LEF MX4, MC: Male MX4:Female, or other suitable protective panel or packet.

Some implementations can include a body armor carrier garment that isconcealable, includes wicking performance, is form-fitting, providescompression fit, includes body-friendly material, is hypo-allergenic, isbreathable, is washable, has a tapered structure that is not boxy, isconcealed, but smart-looking, provides a solution to issues ofuncomfortable fit and wear in conventional body armor carriers, moveseasily but firmly with the body, is more pliable than conventionalcarriers worn today, and/or may be more compatible with the bodyarmor—without compromising safety and security.

Some implementations can include one or more sensors integrated into thegarment such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, etc. to monitorhealth parameters of a wearer (e.g., stress level, etc.). The sensorscan be connected to a mobile computing and communications device toprocess the signals, record the signals locally, and transmit one ormore signals via wireless (or wired) communication to an externaldevice.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments or implementations described in this application, which areintended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications andembodiments can be made without departing from its spirit and scope.Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of thedisclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, are possible fromthe foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and embodiments areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The presentdisclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. This disclosure is not limited to particular methods, whichcan, of course, vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, the terms can be translated from the plural to thesingular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to thecontext and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations maybe expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open”terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “includingbut not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “havingat least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.).

If a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, suchan intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, suchrecitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C”would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general sucha construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Virtually any disjunctiveword and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether inthe description, claims, or drawings, should be understood tocontemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either ofthe terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will beunderstood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, the disclosure is also thereby described interms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markushgroup.

For any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a writtendescription, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and allpossible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listedrange can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enablingthe same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds,quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each rangediscussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middlethird and upper third, etc. Language such as “up to,” “at least,”“greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited andrefer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges asdiscussed above. A range includes each individual member. Thus, forexample, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having 1, 2,3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. Such depicted architectures are merely embodiments, and infact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the samefunctionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components toachieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that thedesired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components hereincombined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as“associated with” each other such that the desired functionality isachieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components.Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being“operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achievethe desired functionality, and any two components capable of being soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to eachother to achieve the desired functionality. Specific embodiments ofoperably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateableand/or physically interacting components.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments are possible. The various aspects andembodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and arenot intended to be limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A body armor carrier garment, comprising: a frontinner shell; a front outer shell, wherein the front inner shell isattached to the front outer shell via front stitching to form a frontprotective panel pocket, between the front inner shell and the frontouter shell, to hold a front protective panel in place in the frontprotective panel pocket, wherein the front stitching includes a frontbottom stitch, a first arm stitch, a second arm stitch, a first shoulderstitch, a second shoulder stitch, and a neck opening stitch, wherein afront opening is formed on the front inner shell to permit the frontprotective panel to be inserted into the front protective panel pocket,and wherein the opening includes a releasable front closure; a backinner shell; a back outer shell, wherein the back inner shell isattached to the back outer shell via back stitching to form a backprotective panel pocket, between the back inner shell and the back outershell, to hold a back protective panel in place in the back protectivepanel pocket, wherein the back stitching includes a back bottom stitchand a back top stitch, wherein a back opening is formed on the backinner shell to permit the back protective panel to be inserted into theback protective panel pocket, and wherein the back opening includes areleasable back closure; a right side zipper attached to the front innershell and the front outer shell on a first side of the right side zipperand attached to the back inner shell and the back outer shell on asecond side of the right side zipper, wherein the right side zipperextends from a bottom hem of the body armor carrier garment to a pointon a right side of the body armor carrier garment adjacent thereleasable front closure and the releasable back closure; a left sidezipper attached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on afirst side of the left side zipper and attached to the back inner shelland the back outer shell on a second side of the left side zipper,wherein the left side zipper extends from the bottom hem of the bodyarmor carrier garment to a point on a left side of the body armorcarrier garment adjacent the releasable front closure and the releasableback closure, and wherein the right side zipper and the left side zipperreleasably attach a portion of the front inner shell and the front outershell to the back inner shell and the back outer shell such that anexpandable torso opening is formed in the body armor carrier garment; aright side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shell and disposedin an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an end of the rightside zipper; a left side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shelland disposed in an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an endof the left side zipper; and a neck opening, a right sleeve, and a leftsleeve.
 2. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, further comprisinga front plate pocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell andhaving an opening at a top of the front plate pocket, wherein the frontplate pocket is formed to have a width that is approximately same as awidth of the neck opening of the body armor carrier garment.
 3. The bodyarmor carrier garment of claim 1, wherein the front inner shell and thefront outer shell are stitched together from a point adjacent the frontbottom stitch to the bottom hem of the body armor carrier garment, andwherein the back inner shell and the back outer shell are stitchedtogether from a point adjacent the back bottom stitch to the bottom hemof the body armor carrier garment.
 4. The body armor carrier garment ofclaim 1, further comprising a crew neck collar attached to the neckopening.
 5. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, furthercomprising a dress shirt style collar attached to the neck opening. 6.The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, further comprising a badgeindicium formed on the front outer shell.
 7. The body armor carriergarment of claim 1, further comprising a name plate indicium formed onthe front outer shell.
 8. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1,further comprising a front rifle plate pocket formed on an exterior ofthe front outer shell.
 9. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1,further comprising a back rifle plate pocket formed on an exterior ofthe back outer shell.
 10. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1,further comprising a body camera pocket formed on an exterior of thefront outer shell.
 11. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1,further comprising a back cooling pocket formed on an exterior of theback outer shell near the bottom hem of the body armor carrier garment,wherein the back cooling pocket has an opening formed at a top of theback cooling pocket, and wherein the opening has a releasable closure.12. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, further comprising a sideutility pocket formed on a right side or a left side of the body armorcarrier garment.
 13. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, furthercomprising a side firearm holster formed on an exterior of the bodyarmor carrier garment on a right side or left side and respectivelydisposed below the right sleeve or the left sleeve.
 14. The body armorcarrier garment of claim 1, wherein the front stitching and the backstitching include a reinforced double-lock stitch or flat lock stitch.15. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1, wherein the right sleeveand the left sleeve are both short sleeves.
 16. The body armor carriergarment of claim 1, wherein the right sleeve and the left sleeve areboth long sleeves.
 17. The body armor carrier garment of claim 1,wherein the front inner shell, the front outer shell, the back innershell, and the back outer shell are formed from 80% nylon and 20%elastane, to which one or more of a wicking agent, an anti-microbialagent, or a fabric softener agent is applied.
 18. A body armor carriergarment, comprising: a front inner shell; a front outer shell, whereinthe front inner shell is attached to the front outer shell via frontstitching to form a front protective panel pocket, between the frontinner shell and the front outer shell, wherein the front stitchingincludes a front bottom stitch, a first arm stitch, a second arm stitch,a first shoulder stitch, a second shoulder stitch, and a neck openingstitch, wherein a front opening is formed on the front inner shell topermit protective panels to be inserted into the front protective panelpocket, and wherein the front opening includes a releasable frontclosure; a front protective panel disposed within the front protectivepanel pocket, the front protective panel being configured as astab-resistant or a ballistic-resistant protective panel; a body camerapocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell dimensioned tohouse and support a body camera device with an exposed aperture forcapturing video footage; a back inner shell; a back outer shell, whereinthe back inner shell is attached to the back outer shell via backstitching to form a back protective panel pocket, between the back innershell and the back outer shell, wherein the back stitching includes aback bottom stitch and a back top stitch, wherein a back opening isformed on the back inner shell to permit protective panels to beinserted into the back protective panel pocket, and wherein the backopening includes a releasable back closure; a back protective paneldisposed within the back protective panel pocket, the back protectivepanel being configured as a stab-resistant or ballistic-resistantprotective panel; a right side zipper attached to the front inner shelland the front outer shell on a first side of the right side zipper andattached to the back inner shell and the back outer shell on a secondside of the right side zipper, wherein the right side zipper extendsfrom a bottom hem of the body armor carrier garment to a point on aright side of the body armor carrier garment adjacent the releasablefront closure and the releasable back closure; a left side zipperattached to the front inner shell and the front outer shell on a firstside of the left side zipper and attached to the back inner shell andthe back outer shell on a second side of the left side zipper, whereinthe left side zipper extends from the bottom hem of the body armorcarrier garment to a point on a left side of the body armor carriergarment adjacent the releasable front closure and the releasable backclosure, and wherein the right side zipper and the left side zipperreleasably attach a portion of the front inner shell and the front outershell to the back inner shell and the back outer shell such that anexpandable torso opening is formed in the body armor carrier garment; aright side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shell and disposedin an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an end of the rightside zipper; a left side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shelland disposed in an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an endof the left side zipper; and a neck opening, a right sleeve separatefrom the neck opening, and a left sleeve disposed distally from theright sleeve and separate from the neck opening and the right sleeve.19. A body armor system, comprising: a body armor carrier garment,comprising: a front inner shell; a front outer shell, wherein the frontinner shell is attached to the front outer shell via front stitching toform a front protective panel pocket, between the front inner shell andthe front outer shell, wherein the front stitching includes a frontbottom stitch, a first arm stitch, a second arm stitch, a first shoulderstitch, a second shoulder stitch, and a neck opening stitch, wherein afront opening is formed on the front inner shell to permit protectivepanels to be inserted into the front protective panel pocket, andwherein the front opening includes a releasable front closure; a bodycamera pocket formed on an exterior of the front outer shell dimensionedto house and support a body camera device with an exposed aperture forcapturing video footage; a back inner shell; a back outer shell, whereinthe back inner shell is attached to the back outer shell via backstitching to form a back protective panel pocket, between the back innershell and the back outer shell, wherein the back stitching includes aback bottom stitch and a back top stitch, wherein a back opening isformed on the back inner shell to permit protective panels to beinserted into the back protective panel pocket, and wherein the backopening includes a releasable back closure; a right side zipper attachedto the front inner shell and the front outer shell on a first side ofthe right side zipper and attached to the back inner shell and the backouter shell on a second side of the right side zipper, wherein the rightside zipper extends from a bottom hem of the body armor carrier garmentto a point on a right side of the body armor carrier garment adjacentthe releasable front closure and the releasable back closure; a leftside zipper attached to the front inner shell and the front outer shellon a first side of the left side zipper and attached to the back innershell and the back outer shell on a second side of the left side zipper,wherein the left side zipper extends from the bottom hem of the bodyarmor carrier garment to a point on a left side of the body armorcarrier garment adjacent the releasable front closure and the releasableback closure, and wherein the right side zipper and the left side zipperreleasably attach a portion of the front inner shell and the front outershell to the back inner shell and the back outer shell such that anexpandable torso opening is formed in the body armor carrier garment; aright side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shell and disposedin an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an end of the rightside zipper; a left side arcuate opening formed on the front inner shelland disposed in an area adjacent the releasable front closure and an endof the left side zipper; and a neck opening, a right sleeve separatefrom the neck opening, and a left sleeve disposed distally from theright sleeve and separate from the neck opening and the right sleeve; afront protective panel configured to be disposed within the frontprotective panel pocket, the front protective panel being configured asa stab-resistant or a ballistic-resistant protective panel; a backprotective panel configured to be disposed within the back protectivepanel pocket, the back protective panel being configured as astab-resistant or a ballistic-resistant protective panel; and a bodycamera device configured to be disposed within the body camera pocket.20. The body armor system of claim 19, wherein the body armor carriergarment further comprises a front rifle plate pocket formed on anexterior of the front outer shell, and a back rifle plate pocket formedon an exterior of the back outer shell, wherein the system furthercomprises: a front rifle plate configured to be disposed within thefront rifle plate pocket; and a back rifle plate configured to bedisposed within the back rifle plate pocket.